Realtor to sue BREA over 'despicable act'

Wed, Jul 30th 2014, 11:17 PM

A realtor who was wrongly listed as no longer being licensed to practice real estate due to non-payment of dues to the Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) has given notice that he intends to sue the organization over the "despicable act".
Bishop Walter Hanchell appeared among a list of almost 70 real estate agents and brokers said to not be up to date with his dues and therefore deemed unlicensed to practice; the list was published in local newspapers by BREA on July 15.
BREA subsequently issued an apology over the error to Hanchell, head of PGF Realty, and fellow realtor and attorney Nikolai Sawyer, who were, in fact, up to date with their annual license fees and licensed to practice real estate.
In a statement issued yesterday, Hanchell said that upon returning to Nassau on July 29 from being out of the country at the time the list was printed, he was "outraged, disappointed and shocked" at being listed by the real estate body for non-payment.
Hanchell said: "I have been a member of BREA for 30 years and have always paid my dues. I am appalled at the treatment members are receiving. A simple telephone call, email or a friendly reminder to members would be much better than embarrassing them publicly in the media. I have received a written apology from Carla Sweeting, president of BREA. The letter states in part 'The Board humbly apologizes for any inconvenience and embarrassment you may have experienced'.
"For the record, this apology has not been accepted. Too much damage has already been done. My attorney has advised me to take immediate legal action against the Bahamas Real Estate Association for what they call 'an oversight'," said Hanchell.
The realtor added: "I have received calls from well-wishers who find it incredible that something like this could happen. I stand with my fellow realtors, who too have been affected by this totally unnecessary and insensitive procedure, and wish them the best in rebuilding their businesses. These are challenging times and we do not need people representing us who seem to not have the best interest of members at heart. The damage done to my character and business is inexcusable. There will be consequences."
Hanchell did not return a phone call seeking comment on whether the legal action has now been filed.
BREA President Carla Sweeting said that "no malice was intended" by including Hanchell's name in the list mistakenly.
"I am sorry that he does not accept our apology on a human error that was made by an office staff member but we have followed the Act in gazetting those names and we have put an apology in the newspaper once the error was discovered and we have personally written to him apologizing. I have also tried to call him but have been unable to reach him."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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